Add objects to center of mesh faces using particles
Consider

Technique 01


Duplicate a ring mesh by itself with a particle system. Then move the ring to be coincident with the original sphere.  One sphere object for shape.  One ring object for particles.
For the duplicate ring, do not render emitter.  The particles remain.  Ensure the Particles per faces setting is value 1.  Set the value of number of particles.




Technique 02

See Duplication on faces.



Above the deleted faces of duplicator.



Above rendered image smoothed and using subdivision surface modifier.

Link 

Tapering a tentacle mesh with uniformly scaled suction discs

If your particles are static you might even use the Array Modifier.